Carryall vehicle



May 30, 1961 A. J. ALTADONNA CARRYALL VEHICLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Dec. 11, 1957 /6 ANTHMIY J. ALTADoNNA I BY MM ATTOX/VFYI May 30, 1961 A. J. ALTADONNA CARRYALL VEHICLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Dec. 11, 1957 INVENTOR. ANTHo/V l J. A1. MOO v4 United States atent O Original application Dec. 11, 1957, Ser. No. 702,038. Divided and this application Dec. 1, 1959, Ser. No.

2 Claims. (31. 280-36) The present invention relates to a carryall vehicle and is concerned primarily with a device that is susceptible of being disassembled and stored in a compact condition and when assembled is particularly adapted to transport picnicsupplies to and from a beach.

This application is a division of my copending patent application Serial No. 702,038, now Patent No. 2,926,021, filed December 11, 1957. It is an object of the present invention to provide a carryall vehicle of the type described which includes novel side-member construction enabling the quick and easy erection of side members in a staunch and firm manner, as well as the simple and rapid demounting of the side members when their use is unnecessary.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a carryall-vehicle construction having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs which is of an extremely simple structure, durable and reliable in operation, and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of a carryall vehicle designed in accordance with the precepts of this invention and shown in assembled position;

Figure 2 is a perspective view depicting the bottom, a portion of the handle, and one of the side members in exploded relation;

Figure 3 is a top plan viewtaken as a fragmentary illustration of the bottom of the carryall with parts broken away;

Figure 4 is a detailed longitudinal vertical section taken about on the plane represented by the line 44 of Figure 3 and illustrating the manner in which the handle is detachably secured to the bottom;

Figure 5 is a detail looking from the inside of one of the corners, being taken about on the plane represented by the line S5 of Figure 3, and depicts one of the latches which holds the two side members which meet at a corner assembled;

Figure 6 is a detailed vertical section, taken about on the plane represented by the line 66 of Figure 3, illustrating the manner in which one of the stub posts receives one of the legs of a side member;

Figure 7 is a detailed view in side elevation, and with parts broken away of one side of the bottom, illustrating one of the supporting wheels inoperative position;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 depicting the supporting wheel in inoperative position; and

Figure 9 is a detail taken as a bottom plan at a front 2,986,461 Patented May 30, 1951- corner, more particularly on the plane represented by the line 9--9 of Figure 7, depicting one of the auxiliary rollers.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts, and first more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the carryall vehicle of this invention is therein illustrated as comprising six main elements or parts. These are a bottom which is referred to in its entirety by the reference character B, a handle which is designated generally H, and four side members identified in their entireties by the reference characters C, D, E, and F.

The bottom B comprises a pair of side runners-l0 and 11, together with a rear crossbar 12, a front crossbar 13, and an intermediate crossbar 14. It will be understood that the runners 10 and 11, as well as the crossbars 12, 13, and 14, may be made from any appropriate material such as metal or wood; and if metal is employed the invention has particularly in mind the use of such metals as magnesium, aluminum, or steel. The crossbars 12, 13, and 14 are preferably of tubular construction; while the side runners 10 and 11 are preferably solid, although they may be of a channel construction. 'In either case, the front ends of these members are squared as indicated at 15; while the rear ends are rounded as depicted at 16. The purpose of this will later become apparent. Extending over the upper edges of the runners 10 and 11 and secured thereto, as well as to the crossbars 12, 13, and 14, is a wire mesh identified at 17.

The intermediate crossbar 14 is preferably continued out beyond .the outer side face of the runners 10 and '11 to provide projecting portions on which are pivotally mounted arms 18. One of these arms 18 is shown in Figures 7 and 8 in conjunction with the runner 11; and it will be understood that there is another arm similarly mounted on the runner 10. A main supporting wheel 19 is pivotally mounted on the end of the arm 18 remote from the latters pivotal connection to the crossbar 14. An abutment member 20 is secured to the outer face of each of the runners 10 and 11 in any preferred manner, such as by the fastening element shown at 21, and has an abutment edge at 22 that is adapted to be engaged by an edge of the arm 18 after the latter has passed a vertical position in the manner depicted in Figure 7. In this position, the wheels 19 support the runners 10 and 11 over a paved surface such as represented at 23; and the bottom is adapted to be pushed frontwardly-that is, in the direction of the arrow of Figure 7.

It is evident that the wheels 19 are adapted to be swung upwardly into the ineffective position depicted in Figure 8, in which event the side runners 10 and 11 rest on the sandy beach surface indicated at 24. In this position, the runners are adapted to be pulled to the rear in the direction indicated by the arrow of Figure 8.

Opening into the bottom surface of each of the runners 1t) and 11 at their forward ends is a recess or opening 25 in which is operatively mounted an auxiliary roller 26 that is rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 27. These rollers 26 are adapted to engage a curb as the latter is mounted so as to support a major part of the load as the.

carryall passes over such a curb.

At the front and rear ends of each of the runners 10 and 11 there are a pair of stub posts 28. "One of these posts is shown in detail in Figure 6 and has a pointed end 29 which functions as a guide, as will be later described. Associated with each stub post 28 is a spring detent in the. form of a spring arm 30 carrying a pin 31, with the spring arm 30 being spaced from the post 28 with which it is associated.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 2, 3, and 4, it will be noted that a pair of brackets 32 are secured to the underside of the rear crossbar 12. Another pair of brackets 33 are secured to the underside of the intermediate crosbar 14. These brackets 32 and 33 are in substantial alignment.

The handle H is shown as comprising a pair of rods 34 and 35 which are fairly close together throughout the major part of their lengths and which have integrally joined to their outer upper ends a crosshead 36 which constitutes a hand grip. At their lower ends the rods 34 and 35 are bent outwardly as indicated at 37 and 38 to provide a bifurcated end construction ctnnprising the parts 39 and 40. The latter have pointed ends as indicated at 41. These bifurcated end portions 39 and 4d are received in the aligned brackets 32 and 33 in the manner depicted in Figures 3 and 4; and the pointed ends 41 facilitate this insertion. A hook or latch 42 is pivotally mounted at its upper endfon a 'cr'osspin 43 that extends between the bars '34 and 35 where'tlie latter merge in with the bends 37 and 3 8; and the other "end of this latch 42 carries a bill 44 that 'is fitted over the rear crossbar 12 in the manner shown in Figures 3 "and 4. Thus the handle H is securely attached to the bottom 13 and is adapted to be either pushed to impart a forward movement to the carryall or pulled to impart a rearward movement thereto.

With perhaps one minor exception, the side memhers C, D, E., and F are all substantially alike; and only one of them is herein described in detail as that is believed to be sufiicient for the purposes of this specification. Referring to Figure 2, it will be noted 'that the side member C comprises a tubular member that is bent into a U-shaped formation presenting a back or top 45 and legs 46 and 47. The leg 46 is joined to the back 45 by a bend 48; While the leg 47 is joined to the back 45 by a bend at 49. A cross strut 50 extends between the legs 46 and 47 and has its ends joined to the respective legs at points spaced from the lower free ends of these legs. A strip of fabric 51 has its opposite ends secured to the back 45 and cross strut 50 in a well-known manner, such as by having the ends of the strip formed with loops which receive the back and cross strut, respectively. Another strip of fabric 52 extends between the legs 46 and 47 and has its ends secured thereto in the same manner. These strips 51 and '52 are in crossed relation and provide the main surface of the respective side member.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 6, and recalling that the legs 46 and 47 are tubular, it will be noted that the lower end of the leg 47 is shown as receiving one of the stubposts 28. The pointed end 40 facilitates insertion of the post 28 in the hollow leg 47. As this hollow leg is forced downwardly, the spring arm 30 is sprung outwardly into the dotted-line position of Figure 6 until the pin 31 comes opposite to an opening 53formed in the tubular leg 41. The springaction of the arm 30 now moves the pin into this opening to securely lock the leg in position in the post.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 3 and 5, it will be noted that the leg46 of the side member E has pivotally mounted thereon in a well-known manner as indicated at 54 a latch member 55. The post 47 of the side member F is provided with an eye 56 which receives the hook of the latch 55. With the hook of the latch received in this eye, the upper ends of the posts 46 and 47 of the members E and F are securely held together. Moreover, this arrangement is repeated at each of the four corners.

As shown in Figure l, the side member B may be provided with a pair of loops 57 which are adapted to receive a beach umbrella when collapsed in a well-known manner.

Operation m While the mode of operation and manner of using the carryall vehicle of this invention is believed to be ob- H upper ends.

4 vious from the illustration of the drawings. and descrip tion of parts given, they may be briefly outlined as follows:

It will first be assumed that the carryall is completely disassembled, in which condition it is adapted to be stored in a compact condition in a motor vehicle or other place. When the scene is reached where it is to be used, the side members C, D, E, and F are first erected on the bottom B by having the lower ends of the legs 46 and 47 fitted over the several stub posts 28 in the manner shown in Figure 6. The spring detents 30 hold this established position. The several latches 55 are then manipulated so that the hooks engage the eyes 56. Thus, the several side members are joined at each corner adjacent to their The bifurcated end portions 39 and 40 of the handle H are now inserted in the brackets 32 and 33 and the bill 44 of the hook 42 placed in engagement with the rear bar 12.

Any picnic supplies or equipment may now "be deposited on the bottom B within the four side members and will be contained therein in an obvious manner. Moreover, a beach umbrella may he slid through the loops 57.

The operator now grasps the grip 36 of the handle H and pushes the carryall over any harder paved surface. Before this actiontakes place, the main supporting wheels 19 will have been swung down into the'operative position depicted in Figure 7. It is evident that a'forward thrust on the handle causes the upper rear edges of the arms 18 to abut against the edges 22 of the abutment members 20. When a curb is reached, the handle is manipulated so that the auxiliary rollers 26 will engage the top surface of the curb, whereupon the handle 'may be raised to move the main wheels 19 over the curb.

When the beach itself is reached and his necessary to move the carryall over the soft sandy surface, the main supporting wheels 19 are swung into their inoperative position depicted in Figure 8. The carryall is now moved by pulling on the handle H; aud'the curved edges at 16 facilitate this action.

When the desired beach site is reached, the beach umbrella is removed from the loops 57 and the contents of the carr-yall unloaded. The several sides C, .D, E,.and F are then disassembled from the bottom B. The bottom B is now susceptible for use as a beach table, in which event the beach umbrella may be erected, such as by passing it through an opening in the wire mesh 17. The several members C, D, E, and F are also available for individual use, such as backrests. When so used, the U-shaped supports 58 are swung outwardly to engage the sand and supplement the supporting effect of the legs 46 and 47 being embedded in the sand. Each of these supports 58 has legs 59 which are pivotally connected tothe legs-46 and 47, as indicated at 60, and a bottom or back 61 that is integrally joined to the legs 59 and which normally assumes a position close to the strut 50. They are particularly adapted for such use because these portions of the legs 46 and 47 below thecross strut 50 may be pushed into the sand to provide the necessary support.

When the day is over. thelcarryall is assembled in the manner above described and thereturn trip to. the'automobile made in an obvious manner.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to-the-exact constructions, mechanisms, and devices'illustrated and described, because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of thelappendedjclaims. Thus, the preceding detailed description is for thepurposeof complying with Section 112, Title 35 of the US. Code, and the appended claims should'be construedas broadly as the prior awwilrpermit.

What is claimed is:

1. In a beach carryall vehicle, a generally rectangular open work bottom adapted for movement along a ground surface, a pair of stub posts at each corner of said bottom, four side members each having a pair of legs of tubular construction with the lower end of each leg removably receiving one of said stub posts, a plurality of support members pivoted to said side members and each swingable into and out of the plane of its respective side memher, a resilient holding element upstanding from said bottom adjacent to each stub post in releasable retaining engagement with the receiving leg, means for securing side members meeting at a corner together adjacent to their upper ends, said support members each being swingable out of the plane of its respective side member for use as a back rest upon removal of the respective side member from said bottom, and a handle detachably secured to said bottom.

2. In a beach carryall vehicle, a generally rectangular open work bottom adapted for movement along a ground surface, four side members each including a pair of legs, a plurality of support members pivoted to said side members and each swingable into and out of the plane of its respective side member, means for detachably securing the lower end of each leg to said bottom with said side members arranged in generally polygonal configuration, a latch at each corner of said side members when in said arrangement, said latch being pivotally mounted on a leg of one side member and having a hook received in an eye on the leg of the adjacent side member, said support members each being swingable out of the plane of its respective side member for use as a back rest upon removal of the respective side member from said bottom, and a handle detachably secured to said bottom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 770,773 McGuirk Sept. 27, 1904 1,023,617 Botteese Apr. 16, 1912 1,358,978 Norton Nov. 16, 1926 2,712,452 Hallowell July 5, 1955 2,826,425 Hoeper Mar. 11, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 267,834 Switzerland July 17, 1950 

